I had been suffering from severe lower back pain for quite some time. About a year ago, it became very bad in my lumbar and right hip area. Walking, sleeping, even sitting was painful. I had been going to a chiropractor to seek relief but without success. I am 60 years old.

Last week, March 1 to be exact, I was sitting in a hot tub of water, seeking relief and was reading your Spring 2001 "BULLETIN." I read with interest the letter on "Graces Received" and the powerful physical healings attributed to Fr. Papczynski. I believe in intercessory prayer, so I thought why not seek his help.

That night I asked Fr. Papczynski to intercede with the Father to heal my back. This was a frequent aspiration over the next few days.

On Sunday morning, March 4, while lying in bed, I felt and heard a "click" in the area of pain.

I am now totally pain free. I can walk and kneel without any discomfort. Yesterday, as I do each week while here in Florida, I played golf without any pain or problem whatsoever. I could bend and rotate with no discomfort.

Praise God and thanks to the powerful intercession of Fr. Papczynski, I have been healed. I have shared this with my wife and friends here in Florida and will do so when I return to my home in Albany, NY. Until now I never knew of this priest.

-- JB, Venice, FL

"My leg hurt me for over 10 years"

I had varicose veins on my legs. One of my legs particularly hurt me for over 10 years. Twice I went to the hospital because of it, with no success. I had been told that I suffered from a thrombus which blocked the circulation in my leg.

Many forms of treatment were applied, including surgery. Nothing helped. Seeing the futility of all these efforts, the doctors pronounced me disabled and eligible for disability payments. However, I still went to see one doctor after another. But the results were still deplorable. I was not even able to walk, and, because of this big wound on my leg, it was painful even to lie down.

I am single and live in an apartment. Everything was even more difficult because of this since I could count only on my neighbors' help. At that time, I was only 43. I thought of my future with sadness and depression.

Once two women came to visit me and they saw my depression and the wound. Not wanting to upset me, they did not say anything and left. About that time, I got a copy of the novena to the Venerable Servant of God, Fr. Stanislaus Papczynski.

Oh, with what fervency, zeal, and tears did I begin to pray for healing! What was not accomplished by medicine was done by prayer. In two weeks' time, my wound was healed. My story can be certified by the two women who came to see me and also by my confessor, our pastor.

-- ZN, Europe

Boy recovers after Holy Communion

I was ill with spotted fever and typhoid fever. At the time, I was only 9 years old. The doctors pronounced my condition hopeless. My mother obtained permission for me to receive my first confession and First Holy Communion in the hospital.

I was conscious when I received Holy Communion. I mention this specifically because I was mostly unconscious at that time.

As I learned later from my mother, she prayed for my health through the intercession of Fr. Stanislaus Papczynski, and she attributed my recovery to his intercession.

The following was written by the mother of the man who wrote the above letter:

I would like to add to the testimony of my son by saying that all of the children also making their First Holy Communion at our parish on that day were praying the novena to Fr. Stanislaus Papczynski along with me. We were led in prayer by our priest. I came to him for help when doctors lost all hope of saving my son's life.

Our prayers were heard and, after receiving his First Communion, my son began to feel better. When some of the doctors saw him again, they could not believe their eyes and said: "Oh, is this patient still alive?"

For all that the Lord has given me through Fr. Stanislaus Papczynski's intercession, I am deeply grateful and will always be until my last day.